| THE BANK broke and I lost my savings. | |
| I was sick of the tiresome game in Spoon River | |
| And I made up my mind to run away | |
| And leave my place in life and my family; | |
| But just as the midnight train pulled in, | 5 |
| Quick off the steps jumped Cully Green | |
| And Martin Vise, and began to fight | |
| To settle their ancient rivalry, | |
| Striking each other with fists that sounded | |
| Like the blows of knotted clubs. | 10 |
| Now it seemed to me that Cully was winning, | |
| When his bloody face broke into a grin | |
| Of sickly cowardice, leaning on Martin | |
| And whining out “We’re good friends, Mart, | |
| You know that I’m your friend.” | 15 |
| But a terrible punch from Martin knocked him | |
| Around and around and into a heap. | |
| And then they arrested me as a witness, | |
| And I lost my train and staid in Spoon River | |
| To wage my battle of life to the end. | 20 |
| Oh, Cully Green, you were my savior— | |
| You, so ashamed and drooped for years, | |
| Loitering listless about the streets, | |
| And trying rags ’round your festering soul, | |
| Who failed to fight it out. | 25 |
